One of the most instantly recognisable voices in the folk world (and a bloomin' good guitarist too), Bob Fox gave us our first concert of 2024. In his 50th year as a performer, Bob was in great form and took us on a musical journey through some of the highlights of his career. With every song there was a fascinating story, of course.
There were traditional folk songs (Bob's preference at the start of his singing career) such as 'The Galway Shawl' and 'Dance to Your Daddy', but Bob's strength is that he can put his own stamp on the songs of great songwriters, using his rich voice and inventive guitar playing to make them his own. We were treated to songs by, among others, Chris Leslie (My Love is in America); Jez Lowe (Greek Lightning); Benny Graham (Have a Game for the Crack); Andy M Stewart (The Rambling Rover); and Ewan MacColl (Champion at Keeping Them Rolling, and a song from the 1958 Radio Ballads 'Ballad of John Axon).
Absolute highlights were John Tams' 'Snow Falls (The Year Turns Round Again) from Bob's time as 'Songman' in the National Theatre's War Horse production; and two songs by the Tyneside songwriter Joe Wilson: 'The Bonny Gateshead Lass' and the absolutely gorgeous 'Sally Wheatley'.
During the soundcheck, Bob had said that he has a habit of 'going on a bit' and running late. Well, we had the best part of two hours of great singing, playing and storytelling - and nobody in the capacity audience was complaining! It's a great skill to be able to keep an audience enthralled for that long with just voice and guitar, and Bob Fox has that skill in spades. We had a great night!
As usual, each half was got underway with a song from our regular singaround performers, and this time we heard from Chris Morris and Norman Randall - many thanks guys, and well done.
And so the annual event that is the Poppy Folk Day had arrived, and by 11.30am the Poppy Committee were setting up the room for the musical marathon ahead.
A long time friend of the Poppy, Sheila started by getting the audience to sing along with 'The Last Trip Home' by Davy Steele which set the tone for the day. Mostly accompanying herself on guitar she interspersed a couple of unaccompanied songs. Songs included Steve Knightley’s 'Exile' and the self-penned 'Any Heart Will Do'. A lovely start to the day.
More long term friends of the Poppy and regulars at our music nights, the Particles took us from Nottingham to Scandinavia to Ireland and back again. Taking it in turns to perform lead vocals songs included 'Just as the Tide was a-Flowing', 'Gates of Nottingham' -a gazetteer of our own fair city- and 'Farewell to the Gold' which brought further audience participation. They were in fine form, we really need to get a bigger stage!
To headline the early afternoon concert we welcomed Yorkshire lass Bella Gaffney for a solo performance of folk and americana. Accompanying herself on acoustic and electric guitars and banjo Bella played a mixture of self-penned songs and more traditional material, including 'Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard' and 'Gallows Pole'. With a humorous and engaging stage presence and excellent musicianship Bella had the audience in the palm of her hand: A great way to finish the first concert.
After a quick break to re-arrange the chairs, it was on to the second event of the day. Part talk part performance, Steve played the Carolan guitar he helped to devise- an acoustic instrument that tells its own story. With tunes, visuals and the use of Artificial Intelligence, notably on 'The Butterfly' featuring virtual flute as accompaniment, this was a fascinating hour spent exploring the traditional and the modern.
Next the room was vacated in order to set up for the evening concert whilst the music continued in the bar downstairs. There assorted musicians assembled for a music session led by another friend of the Poppy Folk Club, Jim Hellewell. A good time was had by all!
For the final concert of the day we welcomed Sam Kelly and Jamie Francis who had previously performed at the Poppy as part of the Sam Kelly Trio. We had a song from the floor by Ally and Jez, then it was into the main event. Sam is an excellent singer and guitarist and was accompanied by Jamie on banjo and acoustic guitar. They first started playing together at University and treated us to two fabulous sets of folk songs and self written material interspersed with tunes written by Jamie. Too many highlights to list them all, but songs in the first half included 'If I were a Blackbird', 'Angeline the Baker' and 'Eyes of Men', the first song that they wrote together. After a short break to refill glasses we started the second half with a song from the floor from Dan Kittmer- Stan Rogers' 'The Mary Ellen Carter'- then Sam and Jamie gave us another splendid set. This included the well-known 'The Golden Vanity', a brand new song by Sam and Jamie 'Till Sleep Comes Calling', and a cover of Dire Straits 'Sultans of Swing' without which apparently they would not have got their breakfast the next morning! All good things come to an end and the guys left us with 'My Lagan Love' and 'Greenland Whale'. An excellent way to finish the day, except…
...we weren’t quite done….
A bunch of hardy souls (or folk with no homes to go to) stayed on for another hour and a quarter of songs and tunes for a final session.
We had contributions from the Poppy’s own Mary, Dave, Ian, Ally (with daughter Ruby) and AJAR, and also Dave Martin, Chris Morris, Jenny Bell, Wil Walker, Dan Kittmer and first-time visitors Rachel and Daniil. Sam and Jamie joined us and sang 'The Keeper', and we had a couple of sets of tunes from the entire company, including Sam and Jamie who should probably claimed overtime, before Dave led the room in the Poppy signature song 'Sing John Ball'
And that, finally, was that! An excellent day. Thanks to all of the guests, the audience, Jim Hellewell for leading the bar session, and Nick Murphy and Dave Martin for help with the PA.
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